in a rare public speech, assad outlined his plan which includes a cease-fire, national reconciliation, a new constitution. assad said he would not step down and blamed his country's struggles on the opposition, referring to them as terrorists and puppets of the west. >>> "the san jose mercury news," despite being advised not to go to north korea by the u.s. state department, former new mexico governor bill richardson and google ceo eric schmidt have arrived in that country this morning. the reason for their trip not clear. speculation, though, has been they're seeking the release of korean-american kenneth bay, arrested on unspecified charges. richardson, a former u.n. ambassador, has traveled to north korea several times before. >>> "the wall street journal." french actor gerard depardieu received a hero's welcome as he begins this week as a russian citizen. depardieu expatriated in protest of france's high tax rates on the wealthy and has received d extensive coverage by the russian media. the actor arrived in central russia where he was offered a free apartment and a post as cultur